LAGAWE, Ifugao- – Through the Ever-Young Women Organization of Poblacion South (EYWOPS), many villagers are looking forward to reap the gains of livelihood ventures in a key part of Lagawe.
The 60-member EYWOPS is committed to boost entrepreneurial skills of its rank and file.
“We will continue pooling resources, help members as they venture into small enterprises. This is all intended to improving the lives of our community members,” EYWOPS president Lilybeth Vasquez said.
“I do know that our members are talented and hardworking,” she added.
While most EYWOPS members are housewives, they will be the workforce of small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to reckon with in the coming years. They represent a game-changing shift for the town’s have-nots blessed with business capabilities.
For her part, former president Angie Guinid underscored the vitality of livelihood opportunities for low-income earners in this part of the country. “Each year, we want to double efforts in promoting livelihood projects, thus we intend to play our part in spreading awareness and in raising funds for this cause,” she explained. Guinid formed the EYWOPS and served as its head for five years.
Since its formation, Guinid endeavored further to make EYWOPS meaningful at all times to members and the public. To date, members engaged in food processing businesses. For a time, they derived significant earnings from produce such as lumpiang shanghai, longanisa and embotido, and appeared competitive in the local market due to their qualities. Even some professionals got encouragement to have progressive business career.
Certainly, the broad purpose of Guinid, Vasquez and CelyBaccay, who served as EYWOPS second president for two years, is not only to upgrade the people’s lives but also to help the country grow. Today, they are so proud about it. Undoubtedly, they all feel strongly about.
“All things considered, it is quite clear that there is a need to promote our food industries, to present more job opportunities that will help make their lives better,” Guinid said.
It is essential that these gainful job aspirations are pursued resolutely by EYWOPS officers. Members can only hope that they can get assistance from kind-hearted and generous individuals in the private and public sector. Low-income earners have a very difficult time in keeping up with increasing prices of commodities. High cost of living is more detrimental to those who belong to the low-income bracket. Food inflation is indeed hurting for those in the bottom is quite evident. This brings us to the complication brought about by the joblessness picture. The government says that there are 35.33 million jobless Filipinos. Unemployment rate in Ifugao is high.
True enough, there’s more to be done. Motivated by the mission to be there for the needy, Guinid continuous to champion livelihood promotion. She has been cited for her noteworthy advocacies such as for women and OFWs that has already spanned for decades.
The national government should infuse funds for livelihood generation. The EYWOPS should do the right thing with the right people at the right time. For instance, Ifugao folks should fully utilize the abundance of bananas. Infusion of funds for the acquisition of machinery and equipment to improve the quality of banana process products is required. By-products include banana chips and banana ketchup among others.
EYWOPS officers cannot and must not set aside the call of members to push the livelihood agenda in 2025 and beyond. By doing so, for EYWOPS, there is a good chance of drawing a positive outlook for the coming years because folks should live in a village that is conducive to growth, comfort and well-being. By securing the future, communities prosper and thrive. **By Anthony A. Araos
